Well, I'm not nearly as mechanically inclined as some here, and I'll
probably get crucified for this, but here it goes:

You mentioned an oil leak and burn... does the smoke occur after you
"top off" the oil? (we've all probably had one of those "check the
gas and fill the oil" cars at one point in our lives). Do you top it
up or wait until the dipstick registers a full quart low, then add a
full quart? In my experience, even new vehicles have a "happy point"
with oil level that may or may not read completely full on the
dipstick even though there is no leaking or burning... As Bill said,
the valve cover gasket could be the source of the smell but the smoke
could be a result of overfilling and due to the fact that you've got
so many miles, could be some tired rings and high pressure.

I was always taught to never add oil until you're a full quart low.
Too much will spell disaster for engines with high mileage.

Just a thought. Good luck!

John




rick.skowyra@ryersontull.com (Rick) wrote in message news:<30cd958b.0406211122.2782c927@posting.google. com>...
> Maybe some of you have an idea what this is ?
>
> My 96 Grand Cherokee has 180K miles on it.
> Recently (on 2 occasions) while on the highway, I noticed a decent
> amount of smoke in my rear view mirror. I had the AC on. The first
> time, it just stopped on it's own. The second time, the smoke
> disappeared after I shut off the air conditioning. I can't tell if
> the smoke is just white in color or if there is a little blue in
> there. The engine has a lot of miles on it and it has a moderate oil
> leak. It's also burning some oil (I can tell by the smell when I get
> out of the car). However, this new problem seems to be tied in with
> the air conditioner. The AC still works well inside the car.
>
> BY the way, no loss of coolant, and the oil looks ok on the dipstick.
> Also, I never got an indication of over-heating.
>
> Any ideas ??
>
> Rick

 

Well, I'm not nearly as mechanically inclined as some here, and I'll
probably get crucified for this, but here it goes:

You mentioned an oil leak and burn... does the smoke occur after you
"top off" the oil? (we've all probably had one of those "check the
gas and fill the oil" cars at one point in our lives). Do you top it
up or wait until the dipstick registers a full quart low, then add a
full quart? In my experience, even new vehicles have a "happy point"
with oil level that may or may not read completely full on the
dipstick even though there is no leaking or burning... As Bill said,
the valve cover gasket could be the source of the smell but the smoke
could be a result of overfilling and due to the fact that you've got
so many miles, could be some tired rings and high pressure.

I was always taught to never add oil until you're a full quart low.
Too much will spell disaster for engines with high mileage.

Just a thought. Good luck!

John




rick.skowyra@ryersontull.com (Rick) wrote in message news:<30cd958b.0406211122.2782c927@posting.google. com>...
> Maybe some of you have an idea what this is ?
>
> My 96 Grand Cherokee has 180K miles on it.
> Recently (on 2 occasions) while on the highway, I noticed a decent
> amount of smoke in my rear view mirror. I had the AC on. The first
> time, it just stopped on it's own. The second time, the smoke
> disappeared after I shut off the air conditioning. I can't tell if
> the smoke is just white in color or if there is a little blue in
> there. The engine has a lot of miles on it and it has a moderate oil
> leak. It's also burning some oil (I can tell by the smell when I get
> out of the car). However, this new problem seems to be tied in with
> the air conditioner. The AC still works well inside the car.
>
> BY the way, no loss of coolant, and the oil looks ok on the dipstick.
> Also, I never got an indication of over-heating.
>
> Any ideas ??
>
> Rick